Langara Research Ethics Board
Pursuant to the Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS2), the Langara Research Ethics Board (LREB) has been established to ensure that all research at Langara College involving human subjects is conducted in accordance with nationally accepted ethical standards.
The LREB is an independent committee established by the College. Acting on behalf of, but independent of the College, the LREB is charged with reviewing the ethical acceptability of all proposed research at the College that involves human subjects. The review process is guided by the following core principles: respect for persons, concern for welfare, and justice.
As an independent committee, the LREB is required to operate free of influence and to avoid situations of real, potential or perceived conflict of interest. It is authorized to review and to approve, reject, propose modifications to or terminate any proposed or ongoing research involving human subjects based on the ethical acceptability of the research.
About Human Research Ethics
Mandate and responsibilities
The LREB has the responsibility to:
- Ensure that no research involving humans proceeds without prior ethical review and approval by the LREB.
- Consult with and provide feedback to the appropriate Dean regarding proposals for the establishment, or to amend the on-going operation, of Course-Based Research Ethics Review Panels.
- Review on an on-going basis for their ethical content all Langara College policies and procedures affecting research involving humans and report any issues requiring attention to the appropriate individual or body.
- Maintain a list of all active projects approved by the LREB.
- Review, at its discretion, on-going projects according to the projects' schedules (through interviews, written updates from investigators, or other means) so that the LREB is assured that approved research is being conducted according to this policy. Ongoing research shall be subject to continuing review. The rigour of the review shall be in accordance with a proportionate approach to ethics assessment. As part of each research proposal submitted for LREB review, the researcher shall propose to the LREB the continuing review process deemed appropriate for that project. Normally, continuing review should consist of at least the submission of a succinct annual status report to the LREB. The LREB should be promptly notified when a project concludes.
- Maintain current copies of statutes, regulations, policies and guidelines pertaining to research involving human subjects, and help relevant members of the College community to become familiar with them.
- Investigate reports of non-compliance with this policy and procedures or complaints of improper research involving human subjects.
- Prepare, maintain and retain comprehensive records, including (but not limited to):
- Minutes of meetings, including a record of LREB members’ attendance, deliberations and decisions,
- Copies of all applications for research approval and related documentation,
- Any notifications of changes to approved research,
- Written reasons regarding the acceptance or rejection of applications, and
- Records of investigation of complaints or reports of non-compliance with this policy and procedure.
- Promote awareness of the highest ethical standards in research involving humans throughout Langara College by meeting with Departments, instructors, staff, students and by promoting research ethics education at Langara College through offering workshops, symposia, public lectures, and other events.
Contact
ethics [at] langara.ca (ethics[at]langara[dot]ca)
Chair
Alexandra Harriss (on leave)
Administrator
Anna McAuliffe
LREB Membership
In accordance with the Tri-Council Policy Statement on Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans and the College’s policy on Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans, the Langara Research Ethics Board (LREB) will have, as a minimum, the following members:
- The LREB shall consist of at least five (5) members, including both men and women, who serve staggered two-year renewable terms to maintain continuity and ensure diversity of background and expertise.
- All appointments are made by the President in consultation with the Chair of Education Council according to the following criteria:
- At least two (2) members who have broad expertise in the methods or areas of research covered by the LREB;
- At least one member who is knowledgeable in ethics
- For biomedical research, at least one member knowledgeable in the relevant law; this is advisable but not mandatory for other areas of research;
- At least one (1) community member who has no affiliation with Langara College drawn from the Langara College region.
- The President in consultation with the Chair of the Education Council shall, on a bi-annual basis, appoint one (1) member of the LREB as Chair to serve a two-year renewable term.
- There shall be only one research ethics board established at Langara College.
In addition, membership of the LREB shall be governed by the following principles:
- A member of the LREB may resign before the end of his/her term. In the event of a resignation, the vacancy will be filled as quickly as possible.
- In accordance with TCPS2 Article 6.7, new appointments and renewal of memberships to the LREB will be made in accordance with the qualifications and expertise required at the time of appointment by the LREB.
- The president may remove a member at any time.
- The LREB membership roster will be maintained by the Office of The President and by the LREB manager. The roster will include the following minimal information:
- Member names
- Earned degrees and other qualifications
- The capacity under which the member is serving on the LREB
- The relationship between the LREB member and the institution
- Information regarding the member’s experience that is sufficient to indicate the chief contribution of the member to the LREB
